Embodiments provide measurement systems having a coordinate measuring machine, a workpiece storage apparatus, and a robot for delivering workpieces from the workpiece storage apparatus to the coordinate measuring machine, and methods for orienting and operating such systems. Illustrative embodiments employ a reference geometry tool on the robotic arm, and kinematic locators on the coordinate measuring machine and/or on the workpiece storage apparatus to define a coordinate system common to the coordinate measuring machine, the workpiece storage apparatus, and the robot.

The system comprising containment equipment is intended for the aseptic transfer of a powder, namely for emptying a container filled with powder into a collection container and/or for filling a container with powder from a storage container. The containment equipment has a working chamber surrounded by a housing. A robot is installed in the containment equipment, having an arm arrangement that moves over a pivot range. If there is a collection container it has an inlet leading from the working chamber, and if there is a storage container it has an outlet leading off into the working chamber. The container can be closed at least with a first closure element. A transfer head is mounted at the inlet into the collection container and/or at the outlet of the storage container, each protruding into the working chamber. The passive part forms the double flap together with an active part contained in the transfer head.

In one embodiment, a robotic end effector configured to mount to a robotic manipulator includes gripping elements configured to grasp objects, a drive mechanism configured to open and close the gripping elements, a central controller configured to control operation of the drive mechanism and the gripper elements, the central controller hosting a control program that enables control of the end effector independent of the robotic manipulator, and at least one of a forward-facing ultrasonic distance sensor configured to measure a distance between the gripping elements and an object to be grasped, and a forward-facing camera mounted between the gripping elements configured to capture video data of an object to be grasped.

Omni-directional, extensible grasp mechanisms are disclosed. Such grasp mechanisms may be used as a robotic end effector for docking, grasping, and manipulating space structures, or to interconnect other structures or vehicles. Novel interconnected lattice structures may enable large arrays to be assembled. The grasp mechanisms may be used to create structures from parallel docking linkages. This may enable reconfiguration of multiple docked space vehicles and/or structures without the use of propellant. The grasp mechanisms have the ability to make and break connections multiple times, enabling a nondestructive and reversible docking process.

A collision-detection device for a gripper system of a handling device, with at least two gripping jaws arranged on a flange plate, detects collisions between the gripper system and an object. The device includes a safety device configured to lock the collision-detection device to the gripper system and/or dampen the collision-detection device with the gripper system. The safety device is configured to receive from the flange a change in force and/or a change in torque generated by contact between the gripping jaws and the object. The device further includes a sensor configured to detect a change in distance which exceeds a predetermined permissible change in distance between the flange plate and a reference, the change in distance resulting from the at least one of the change in force and the change in torque.

Disclosed is a gripper including a pair of main bodies each having an internal space and spaced apart from each other, a pair of openings provided at ends of the pair of main bodies, a pair of moving bodies protruding from the ends of the pair of main bodies through the openings, a pair of inner bodies fixed in the internal space of the pair of main bodies, and a pair of springs configured to be compressed between the inner body and the moving body.

A movable object holding system for holding a movable object including a body portion 11 and a protruding portion protruding from the body portion, comprising a hand part 40 holding a movable object, the hand part 40 comprising plural guide portions limiting movement of the movable object in a first axis direction and a second axis direction that are perpendicular to each other and a pair of positioning portions 43e limiting movement of the movable object in a third axis direction that is perpendicular to the first and second axis directions, wherein the hand part 40 holds the movable object with the protruding portion of the movable object disposed in a space surrounded by the plural guide portions and touching the pair of the positioning portions 43e and with a part of the body portion of the movable object exposed out of the hand part 40.

A gripper includes at least one movable finger. Each movable finger includes a first motor, a second motor, a first motor link having a first end coupled to a rotor of the first motor, a second motor link having a first end coupled to a rotor of the second motor, a finger link having a first end in pivotal connection with a second end of the second motor link and a gripper pad, and a connecting link having a first end in pivotal connection with a second end of the first motor link and a second end in pivotal connection with the finger link. The gripper further includes at least one controller programmed or configured to actuate the first motor and the second motor of each of the at least one movable finger.

A gripping mechanism includes a pair of inclined surfaces and rolling elements. The pair of inclined surfaces face each other, are inclined in opposite directions with respect to a vertical direction, and approach each other on a lower side. Each of the rolling elements is rollable on the respective inclined surfaces in an obliquely upward and downward direction. An opening space is formed between lower ends of the inclined surfaces, the opening space having a direction Y (horizontal) width smaller than a direction Y width of the respective rolling elements arranged in the direction Y.

Systems and methods to grasp objects using vacuum-actuated end of arm tools may include moving pistons, pinching or stabilizing arms, and suction cups. For example, responsive to application of negative pressure and responsive to grasping an object by a suction cup, a piston may move between a retracted position and an extended position. The movement of the piston may cause corresponding movement of one or more pinching or stabilizing arms around the object to pinch and/or stabilize the object grasped by the suction cup.